Improving the experience of our patients is important to our Trust and a new team has been introduced, providing a one-to-one service for patients with high level care and supervision needs.
These fantastic colleagues in the Enhanced Care Team (ECT) are already making a difference for those patients who require this individualised care.
Patients who fulfil certain criteria can be supported by this one-to-one service – it can include those living with dementia, at risk of falls, mental health challenges or experiencing substance withdrawal or delirium.
Feedback from carers and families is that they are appreciative of the additional support of the Enhanced Care Support Workers (ECSWs) and they have seen an improvement in the way the patient interacts with them and my colleagues, which can lift the patient’s mood and also improve their relationships.
Working alongside other teams, such as therapies, the ECT focuses on supporting a patient’s recovery by engaging in ongoing therapies, such as speech and language and physical therapies.
Samantha Matthews, Clinical Lead Enhanced Care Team, heads a team of 21 ECSWs who are already working with patients on wards. The Trust is building on this with another nine soon to join, which means more patients who fulfil the criteria will receive this one-to-one support.
The team, which has additional training in dementia awareness and dealing with difficult situations involving patients, provides personal care; basic observations; chair-based exercises and physical activity planning, for example, dance, movement and balloon tennis and cognitive engagement through puzzles, games, art, music or song.
A special thank you also goes to patient Sue Howarth who created beautiful handmade capes and presented them to the wonderful Breast Imaging team at our Trust.
The capes are intended for patients to wear during their appointments and provide our patients with dignity and privacy. They also allow easy access for imaging when they attend their appointment.
Sue wanted to show her appreciation to the team who had helped her after attending a breast screening at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital earlier this year.
She was one of a few women who get called back for further assessment after their initial mammogram. She went on to have further diagnostic mammograms and two biopsies, all under the care of the Breast team. Fortunately, Sue’s results came back negative, and she will be invited back for her next mammogram in three years.
The breast screening programme plays such a vital role and I would like to reiterate Sue’s advice for women to attend their breast screening mammograms and to check their breasts regularly for changes.
Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in improving survival rates for breast cancer and also my colleagues in the Breast Imaging team are there to help you.
It is Black History Month – a time when we recognise and celebrate the contribution made to our society over many years by the African and Caribbean communities.
This celebration is inclusive of all communities and characteristics to encourage learning and awareness of the celebrated communities,and promote unity.
This year, Black History Month is dedicated to honouring the achievements of black women who are often forgotten.
Events are taking place across the NHS and our Trust this month to showcase and celebrate the work of pioneering black women in health care.